Shaping up: Lizzie Simmonds is all for the forthcoming ban on polyurethane suits

Lizzie Simmonds, Britain’s new European record holder in the 200metres backstroke, knows what she would do with the controversial performance-enhancing swimsuits being seen for the last time in this country at the Duel in the Pool in Manchester.

Simmonds said: ‘I’d build a bonfire with them and burn the lot.’

The polyurethane suits aid buoyancy, reduce drag and delay fatigue, but have distorted results for almost two years and will be banned from January 1.

By the end of the contest between the United States and a European Select team, 258 world records were broken in the past 22 months, a figure that has brought ridicule to the sport.

The Americans, led by multi-Olympic champion Michael Phelps, have shown the way forward in Manchester, refusing to recognise any records there.

Phelps, who swam in old-fashioned trunks, said: ‘I want to see who can keep in shape and work the hardest. This will be more of a sport and not just putting on a suit.’

Sentiments from the British camp were similar. Simmonds’s coach, Ben Titley, said: ‘No one’s sorry to see them go. For a start, they take an eternity to put on. I had one athlete at the worlds in the summer who took an hour and 15 minutes just to put it on.’

Jo Jackson, world silver medallist in the 400m and 800m freestyle, is another not sorry to see them go.

The former world record-holder said: ‘It will go back to how it was and how it should be. I’m giving all my suits to charity.’